Paraguay

Soon after the introduction of football in Paraguay by Williams Paats, the Liga Paraguaya de Futbol (today Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol) was created in 1906. The first national football team was organized in 1910 when an invitation by the Argentine club Hércules of Corrientes was received to play a friendly match that ended in a 0–0 draw.

Because of the increasing number of invitations to play matches and international tournaments, the Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol decided to officially create the national team and select the striped red and white jerseys that, to this day, remain as the official colours (taken from the Paraguayan flag). In late 1919, Paraguay accepted an invitation to play the 1921 South American Championship; in order to prepare for that event, a number of friendly matches were played between 1919 and 1921. The first of those friendly matches was a 5–1 loss against Argentina, the first international match played by Paraguay. When the 1921 South American Championship began, Paraguay defeated three-time South American champions Uruguay 2–1, with this being the first match in an official competition for the Paraguayan football team. Paraguay eventually finished fourth in the tournament and became a regular participant of the tournament for the next editions.

In 1930, Paraguay participated in the first World Cup, organized by Uruguay. In the first round, Paraguay lost to the United States 0–3, before defeating Belgium 1–0 with a goal by Luis Vargas Peña. Only one team per group advanced from the first round, and the U.S. left Paraguay behind.

After participating in the 1929, 1947 and 1949 South American Championships (where Paraguay finished in second place), Paraguay returned to the World Cup in 1950, facing Sweden and Italy in Group 3. Paraguay failed to advance to the next round after a 2–2 draw against Sweden and a 2–0 loss against Italy. Paraguay won their first South American Championship in 1953, played in Peru, after winning against Chile (3–0), Bolivia (2–1) and Brazil (2–1), and drawing Ecuador (0–0), Peru (2–2) and Uruguay (2–2). Since Paraguay and Brazil were tied in points at the end of the tournament, a final playoff match was played between them, with Paraguay winning the final 3–2.

For the 1958 World Cup, Paraguay qualified ahead of Uruguay (beating them 5–0 in the decisive game) with a team that contained a formidable attacking lineup with stars such as Juan Bautista Agüero, José Parodi, Jorge Lino Romero, Cayetano Ré and Florencio Amarilla. In their first game in Sweden, Paraguay were 3–2 up against France in a game they lost 7–3. A 3–2 win over Scotland and a 3–3 draw with Yugoslavia saw Paraguay finish third in their group.

The departure of several of their stars for European football (mainly Spain) resulted in a weakening of Paraguay's football fortunes somewhat, but they were only edged out by Mexico in the 1962 qualifiers.^[]

With players such as Romerito, Carlos Alberto Kiese, Alicio Solalinde, Roberto Paredes, Hugo Ricardo Talavera and Eugenio Morel and manager Ranulfo Miranda, Paraguay won the 1979 Copa América after finishing first in Group C (which consisted of Uruguay and Ecuador as well) with two wins and two draws. In the semi-finals, Paraguay defeated Brazil by an aggregate score of 4–3. In the final, Paraguay defeated Chile by an aggregate score of 3–1 to claim its second continental crown.

Paraguay ended a 28-year absence from the World Cup in 1986; during their time in Mexico, the team defeated Iraq 1–0, and drew the hosts 1–1 and Belgium 2–2. They reached the second round where they were beaten 3–0 by England.

A drought followed once again, as Paraguay failed to reach the 1990 and 1994 World Cups.

In 1992, Paraguay won the South American pre-Olympic tournament, which guaranteed a spot in the 1992 Summer Olympics football competition. In the Olympics, Paraguay finished second in its group and were eliminated by Ghana in the quarter-finals. Despite this, new players such as Carlos Gamarra, Celso Ayala, José Luis Chilavert, Francisco Arce and José Cardozo emerged, becoming part of the "golden generation" that led Paraguay to three straight World Cups and noteworthy performances in continental competitions.^[]

Paraguay concluded the qualifiers for the 1998 World Cup by finishing second, one point below Argentina.

Coached by the Brazilian Paulo César Carpegiani, the Albirroja returned to the World Cup finals for the first time since 1986. Paraguay were drawn into Group D, alongside Bulgaria, Nigeria and Spain. Paraguay drew their first two matches 0–0, against Bulgaria and Spain. Nigeria, who had already qualified for the second round after winning their first two matches, lost 3–1 to Paraguay, who finished second in the group.

Paraguay met hosts France (without Zinedine Zidane) in the round of 16 on 28 June, with a goalless 90 minutes. In the 114th minute of extra-time, Laurent Blanc scored to eliminate Paraguay with a golden goal. Defender Carlos Gamarra and goalkeeper and captain José Luís Chilavert were selected as part of the 1998 All-Star Team.

Paraguay were hosts of the 1999 Copa América, played in four cities throughout the country. Many of the 1998 World Cup players returned, to be coached by Ever Hugo Almeida. Grouped with Bolivia, Japan and Peru, the Albirroja played their first match of the competition, drawing 0–0 against Bolivia. On 2 July, Paraguay faced Japan and sealed a 4–0 victory. In Paraguay's third and last group stage fixture against Peru, Paraguay won 1–0. The Albirroja topped the group with seven points. Paraguay were drawn against Uruguay at the quarter-final stage. The match was decided via a penalty shootout, which saw Paraguay lose 5–3. Following the conclusion of the competition, striker Roque Santa Cruz was awarded with the 1999 Paraguayan Footballer of the Year award.

In the 2001 Copa América, head coach Sergio Markarián selected a squad of mostly domestic based players. Paraguay were drawn against Peru, Mexico and Brazil. Their 12 July match against Peru ended 3–3. On 15 July, Paraguay drew 0–0 with Mexico, before Brazil's 3–1 win three days later in Paraguay's last group stage fixture.

Paraguay placed fourth in the 2002 World Cup qualifying process, qualifying for the tournament.

Cesare Maldini being appointed as coach in January 2002 caused controversy as domestic managers were overlooked (prompting the managers union to try to unsuccessfully expel him for immigration breaches). They were in Group B with Spain, South Africa and Slovenia. The Albirroja would face South Africa in their opening group stage match on 2 June, with a match that ended in a 2–2 draw, before Spain defeated Paraguay 3–1 on 7 June. In the third group stage fixture against Slovenia, Paraguay won 3–1. Although Paraguay and South Africa had finished with four points each with a goal difference of 0, the Albirroja progressed due to having scored six goals while South Africa scored five. Paraguay then faced Germany, who dominated the match, scoring in the 88th minute on their way to the final.

Coach Carlos Jara Saguier took a relatively young squad to the 2004 Copa América, with the majority of players tied to clubs of the Primera División Paraguaya. Having been drawn in Group C with Brazil, Costa Rica and Chile, a penalty sealed Paraguay's 1–0 victory in their first group stage match against Costa Rica. Paraguay then drew 1–1 with Chile, then earned a 2–1 victory against Brazil, finishing undefeated in their group with seven points. Paraguay were drawn against Uruguay in the quarter-finals, being eliminated after losing 3–1.

Paraguay began the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign in 2003, completing the process by finishing fourth two years later, qualifying for their third consecutive World Cup.^[]

The team was drawn into Group B alongside England, Sweden and Trinidad and Tobago. Paraguay faced England in their opening group stage match on 10 June, with the Three Lions winning 1–0. Paraguay failed to score against Sweden on 15 June, and were eliminated after just two group stage matches, with their only compensation being a 2–0 win against Trinidad and Tobago. Paraguay finished third in their group, and were the only South American team that did not advance past the first round.^[] Upon the conclusion of Paraguay's 2006 FIFA World Cup campaign, Aníbal Ruiz resigned as head coach and Raúl Vicente Amarilla was assigned as the interim coach.

Group C included Paraguay, Argentina, Colombia, and the United States. In Paraguay's first fixture, they would defeat Colombia 5–0 after a hat-trick from Roque Santa Cruz and a double from Salvador Cabañas. In Paraguay's second fixture against the United States, Édgar Barreto opened the scoring in the 29th minute just before the USA's Ricardo Clark equalized in the 35th minute. Paraguay would win the match 3–1 after a goal from Óscar Cardozo and a 92nd minute free kick from Salvador Cabañas.

With both Paraguay and Argentina having obtained six points and qualifying from Group C, the two teams faced in their last group stage fixture with a second-string team. A 79th minute Javier Mascherano goal was enough to seal a 1–0 victory for Argentina, as Paraguay advanced to the knockout stages to face Mexico. Mexico had already beaten Brazil in the group stage and had finished in first place in Group B. After Paraguayan goalkeeper Aldo Bobadilla was sent off in the third minute, Paraguay conceded a penalty in the fifth minute and eventually found themselves down 3–0 at half-time. Mexico would score another three more goals, thrashing Paraguay 6–0 and ending their Copa América campaign.

Paraguay commenced their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 0–0 away draw against Peru. They followed this draw with four consecutive wins — against Urugauay (1–0), Ecuador (5–1), Chile (3–0), and Brazil (2–0) — to take the team to first place in the CONMEBOL standings after four matches, staying there for nine consecutive rounds. Paraguay lost for the first time in qualifying in a 4–2 away defeat against Bolivia. They eventually concluded qualifying with 33 points.^[]

The 2010 World Cup saw Paraguay drawn into Group F alongside defending champions Italy, Slovakia and New Zealand, with the team facing Italy in their opening match and drawing 1–1, after taking the lead in the 39th minute. They then beat Slovakia 2–0 and drew New Zealand 0–0, to finish first in the group.

Paraguay then eliminated Japan in the round of 16, as they won a penalty shoot-out 5–3 after a 0–0 draw. Paraguay advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time. The Albirroja were drawn against Spain at the quarter-final stage. Paraguayan goalkeeper Justo Villar saved a penalty kick, but Spain scored in the 83rd minute to win 1–0, and went on to win the tournament. After the match, Gerardo Martino stated that he would be leaving his position at the end of his contract.

At the 2011 Copa América, Paraguay were paired with Group B with Brazil, Venezuela and Ecuador, drawing all three matches to end up as the group's third-place team.

As one of the best third-placed teams that advanced, Paraguay won the rematch against Brazil. The match was decided via a penalty shoot out, with Paraguay winning in order to meet Venezuela in the semi-final. With another penalty shoot out, Paraguay won 5–3 to advance to their first final since 1979, where they lost to Uruguay. Despite the loss, Paraguayan goalkeeper Justo Villar was awarded as the best goalkeeper of the tournament. Gerardo Martino resigned soon afterwards as coach of the Albirroja.

Throughout the duration of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, Paraguay changed coaches three times, only to end up last in qualifying.^[] The 2015 Copa América eventually saw Paraguay reach the semi-finals, after defeating Brazil in the quarter-finals on penalties. They were eliminated by Argentina by a score of 6–1.

Paraguay finished last in their group in a special Copa América Centenario, and would eventually qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup 10 years later.^[]